this is bbc news. i'm clive myrie. the headlines at eight: investigators in germany have released their only suspect, in the berlin truck attack which killed 12 people. so called islamic state, have now claimed responsibility. the german chancellor, angela merkel, leads tributes to the dead during a special church service near the attack site. the brandenburg gate is illuminated in honour. translation: we do not want to live with the fear of evil paralysing us, even when that is sometimes hard. we will find the strength to live as we in germany want to live: free, together and open. the rest of the stories this hour: the body of the russian ambassador to turkey has arrived home in moscow. andrey karlov was shot by an off—duty police officer while he gave a speech at an art gallery in ankara yesterday. nicola sturgeon has set out plans for protecting scottish interests post—brexit.

the first minister says scotland could stay in the european single market, without the rest of the uk. coming up on bbc news, we look at the incredible british successes at the incredible british successes at the 3016 30 olympic and paralympic games. good evening and welcome to bbc news. a man, arrested on suspicion of killing 12 people by driving

a lorry into a christmas market in berlin, has been released from police custody. german prosecutors said the investigation so far hadn't been able to prove that the suspect, a pakistani asylum seeker, was present in the lorry at the time of the attack. police say whoever was responsible, could still be on the run. tonight so—called islamic state has claimed responsibility for the attack which killed twelve people and injured nearly fifty others. the truck was driven into a crowd of people at around a0 miles an hour last night, around 8 o'clock. it's not clear from which direction it came, but we do know it only stopped after travelling for about 90 yards. which belongs to a polish firm, appears to have been hijacked.

today, its owner identified the man who should have been at the wheel. the young polish driver was found shot dead in the passenger seat. today, every christmas market in the city was closed. time to remember the dead, and for some, to reflect on a lucky escape. it is amazing how a festive, happy atmosphere just changed instantly. you just have a scene of utter devastation. it will be a long time, rees and sara told us, that they will be able to forget what they saw. people were lying on the floor. we weren't sure if it was red wine, or if it was blood, but we did see, i remember, people were picking up a stall, trying to lift the stall up. we realised that people on foot in the underneath had already passed. germany is a country in mourning. its chancellor under pressure. earlier this year, asylum seekers carried out what are thought to have been the first is inspired terror attacks on german soil. angela merkel must reassure a nervous german electorate that her open door refugee policy hasn't put them at risk. translation: it would be particularly hard to bear

if it turned out that the person that did this was someone who sought protection and asylum in germany. it would be particularly offensive to the many germans engaged daily in the task of helping refugees. the attack took place next to a bombed out church, left in ruins as a reminder of the horror of war. but once again, violence and terror has torn through another european capital. damian mcguinness gave us this update. there have been a number of less

serious attacks over the last year here in germany. some of them connected the so—called islamic state, so people are aware that being ina state, so people are aware that being in a large group of people, there is a certain amount of risk. there is a debate about whether there should be more security, for example at christmas markets, but security officials say you cannot make everything can completely secure and fence everything off, because if someone wanted to perpetrate a group of attacks with people, they can do it in shopping centres. when you talk to people going to christmas markets, they say it is in the back of their minds, but they are trying not to let it

impedes their enjoyment of the christmas season. christmas markets are so christmas season. christmas markets are so much part of the german tradition, a lot of people feel it would be a shame if this particular attack were to have that sort of negative impact on the whole country. pauline massey is the deputy director of security and geopolitics at friends of europe an independent think—tank on european and global affairs. shejoins us from our studio in brussels. thanks forjoining us. it is good to see you. we have had the dreadful attacks in paris and nice, and belgium, this is now the most serious, last night on the christmas market. is there a sense that the european security apparatus is beginning to get a little more integrated than it was, say, 12 months ago? certainly, there has been movement

at european level on police co—operation and justice cooperation. what of course, it is extremely difficult to gauge the state of preparedness today, because on the one hand, security forces have two operate largely under the radar. while their successes have two remain private, failures are very public. an added difficulty that we are facing is that the threat is constantly evolving. before this summer, before the temp one attacks, who would have thought that terrorists would turn a lorry into a weapon? indeed, weaponised vehicles, you are right. clearly, the security threat is evolving and changing, and making it difficult for the apparatus of security around europe to cope. but do you believe, from what you are seeing and what you are hearing that there is enough integration across

europe on this issue? certainly, we still have very far to go. but of course, there is a culture of keeping intelligence and information at national level, and changing that culture will take a very long time. of course, the potential of brexit will not help with european police cooperation, but it should also be remembered that police cooperation, while important to integrate in europe, also needs to be broader. we need to link up better with the united states, with other countries around the world, in the middle east and elsewhere, with all of the political difficulties that this entails. you say it will take time to change the culture of keeping security arrangements at more of a national level, but there is a recognition that that does have to change, right? absolutely. the recognition is

there. some of the mechanisms have started to change. the eu counterterrorism coordinator is doing a greatjob, europe all has made a lot of progress in past months, but we must remember that the european union is ultimately its member states. until there is a true will from member states to move forward , will from member states to move forward, and that they put in the national political capital to do so, not much will change. so will they not do that? the point iam so will they not do that? the point i am trying to make is that we have people dying on the continent of europe, and people are wondering whether the security operations in different countries are actually joining the dots and sharing information, and doing what they can to stop this kind of thing happening. are you suggesting the political will isn't actually there? i would say it is there to a large extent, but for the time being, we are very much at slogan level, and we need to move to in the meditation. the bigger picture has started to arrive. the eu's new

global strategy takes a broader approach, an integrated approach, to transnational threats such as terrorism. but of course, as the threat evolves, so do our responses need to evolve. one important point that we need to start getting across is that citizens can no longer see terrorism as a government only problem. they need to get involved. we can no longer be sitting ducks. we can no longer be sitting ducks. we need both, as individuals, end oui’ we need both, as individuals, end our side we need both, as individuals, end ourside —— we need both, as individuals, end our side —— societies, learn the right medical skills, first aid, first response, if you will, be it to facilitate access of emergency services to scenes of attack, but also perhaps to go beyond that and really look at how we can build trust within our societies and become more aware of this threat without falling into psychosis, of course. indeed, a very important point to

make. thanks for joining indeed, a very important point to make. thanks forjoining us, thank you. robert hall has been observing this evening how berliners have reacted to the atrocity that took place around this time last night. in the week leading up to christmas, this part of berlin would normally bea this part of berlin would normally be a riot of colour and laughter. tonight, the streets around the kaiser wilhelm church are silent. the mood is very different. people throughout the day and into this evening have been coming together to offer a tribute to show solidarity with those who have lost their lives, with families who are still grieving, and families who are still desperately worried about the victims that are seriously injured and in hospital. earlier this evening, there was a candlelit vigil in the church and around the church.

there is a determination here that berlin's life will not be disrupted by acts of terror by attacks of this kind. away from here, the police investigation continues. but the mood in berlin tonight is one of remembrance. robert hall in berlin. tomorrow morning's front pages will have much more coverage of all this, and we'll tell you what they're reporting at 10:40 and 1130 tonight. my guests on the papers will be miranda green of the financial times, and christopher hope, chief political correspondent at the daily telegraph. let's move onto other news now. turkish police have detained six people following the killing of the russian ambassador at an art gallery in ankara yesterday. it's believed those being questioned are related to off—duty police officer mevlut mert altin—tash who opened fire. as the body of ambassador andrey karlov was flown back home, both the kremlin and turkish officials said the assassination

would not derail their negotiations about the war in syria. from ankara mark lowen reports. a farewell to russia's ambassador but in a way nobody could envisage. andrey karlov‘s body was flown back to moscow, the victim of an assassination. his government called eternal symbol of russian turkish friendship. his widow was barely able to watch. he was opening an exhibition in ankara last night, behind him, smartly dressed, his killer, a turkish policeman. the gunman paces calmly, giving up to strike, occasionally fumbling in his pocket. suddenly, he shoots. at the russian embassy today tight security and tributes to an ambassador who served here for three years as russia and turkey fell out over syria. they back opposite sides in the war would have recently reconciled. those who knew him called

mr karlova brilliant diplomat. this is a big tragedy for all of us. for all russian people. do you understand why there is anger against russia here? i think i understand but it is difficult to speak right now. the turkey—russian relationship has always been tricky. but this murder might bring them closer. in syria, they are helping each other achieve their goals, the russian regime in control of aleppo and turkish influence in the north and lacking many other allies, turkey and russia need other. andrey karlov was one of russia's most seasons diplomats, called softly spoken and professional. the russian embassy‘s street will be named in his honour. both countries have painted this as a plot to derail ties. turkey's president said he and vladimir putin agreed it was a perfidious attack

and a provocation against turkish—russian elections. turkey's client press is founded on conspiracies, some called it a cia operation. others a job by the west. could the killer have been brainwashed in the police? these online videos seem to show policeman made to chant nationalist islamist slogans, hatred, perhaps, stirred up here. was he a lone wolves, a jihadist sympathiser? either way, 22—year—old policeman became an assassin and russia wants answers. it's exactly 8:15. the headlines on bbc news: police have released their only suspect in connection with the truck attack on a christmas market in berlin which killed 12 people.

the body of the russian ambassador to turkey has been flown home to moscow. nicola sturgeon has set out plans to protect scottish interests post—brexit. the first minister says scotland could stay in europe, and the single market, without the rest of the uk. alistair cook is likely to step down after defeat to india. according to michael vaughan. cook says he will ta ke michael vaughan. cook says he will take his time before making a decision on his future. his team we re decision on his future. his team were beaten by an innings and 75 ru ns were beaten by an innings and 75 runs in chennai, things to another batting collapse. cook went for a9, and jennings reached a half—century. moeen ali made aa, but seven batsmen ended with single figures as england we re ended with single figures as england were all out for 207. india's

ravindra jadeja took four wickets. the indian captain thinks cook will go. looking at his face today, i would imagine it is close to calling it quits from his perspective. he has earned the right to have a period at home. we will wait and see. he is a stubborn chap, he is eventually very, very tough. he has probably been through this kind of spell 2—3 times in his captaincy spell and carried on. looking at his face today and its body language in particular in the last few test matches, it looks like he might be thinking about calling it a day. the twice wimbledon champion petra kvitova is undergoing a potentially career—saving operation after a knife attack. the world number 11 says she's ‘fortunate to be alive' after the attack during a burglary at her home in the czech republic. the full extent of the damage won't be clear until kvitova emerges from surgery. celtic can go 1a points clear with a win over partick thistle. brendan

rodgers's side are on course for victory at the moment. they lead 1—0 at celtic park. peter take on notts county for the right to take on chelsea in the third round. —— peterborough. five minutes later, paul taylor doubled peterborough's advantage. 2—0 currently. jamie vardy will serve a three—match ban after his claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by the fa. vardy was shown a straight red for a two—footed tackle during leicester city's match with stoke city on saturday. he'll now miss the premier league champions' games against everton, west ham and middlesbrough. joey barton will re—sign for burnley on a short—term deal until the end of the season. barton was named championship player of the year in his previous stint with the club. he left rangers last month after having his contract terminated. newcastle united midfielder

jonjo shelvey has been banned for five games and fined £100,000 after being found guilty of using racially abusive language. shelvey was charged following an incident with wolves midfielder romain saiss in a 2—0 defeat in september. he has also been ordered to attend an fa education course. valtteri bottas' move to mercedes as lewis hamilton's team—mate and felipe massa's return to replace him at williams are close to completion. williams have agreed with massa for him to postpone his retirement for at least another year after mercedes made a pitch for bottas to replace nico rosberg. a deal for bottas to leave williams and join mercedes is also lined up and is set to be completed in the new year. team sky say they are confident uk anti—doping will find no wrongdoing when it publishes its report into the contents of a package delivered to the team in 2011. the package was handed over during the criterium du dauphine — an event won by sir bradley wiggins. sir dave brailsford told mps yesterday it contained

an over—the—counter decongestant, fluimucil. team sky say they're co—operating fully and look forward to the report. that's all sport for now. i'll have more in the next hour. damien, many thanks for that. a planned strike over pay by around 1,500 baggage handlers and check—in staff at 18 uk airports has been suspended. employees of swissport had been due to walk out on december 23rd and 2ath. but the union unite said agreement had now been reached on an improved pay offer. a court has ruled that doctors should stop providing life support treatment to a policeman who was left in a coma after a road accident. paul briggs suffered a brain injury in a motorcycle crash last year while serving with merseyside police. his wife wants him to be allowed to die. but doctors had said there was potential for mr briggs to emerge from his minimally conscious state.

daniel boettcher has more from the old bailey. thejudgment here the judgment here today follows a hearing at the court of protection in manchester three weeks ago, which was considering these issues and considering the application by paul briggs's wife lindsay, life—sustaining treatment should be withdrawn. the judge life—sustaining treatment should be withdrawn. thejudge mrjustice charles said that the case raised issues of life, death and vitally important principles and strongly held views. he went on to say the statement, the life of paul briggs does have value. it raises from the middle issues rating to vulnerable persons, who cannot make valid and applicable decisions for themselves. but thejudge ruled applicable decisions for themselves. but the judge ruled that this life—sustaining treatment could be legally withheld. he said at the end

of thisjudgment, legally withheld. he said at the end of this judgment, it means that the court is doing on behalf of mr briggs what he would have wanted and done for himself in what he thought was his own best interests. but this may not be the end of the case, because there could potentially still be an appeal. and a statement was read out on behalf of lindsey briggs by her solicitor, that was at the end of today's judgment. when we first were notified of the judge 's decision that it was not import's best interest for his life sustaining treatment to continue, we we re sustaining treatment to continue, we were relieved for paul. we accepted this decision and began to come to terms with the idea that paul would finally be free from pain and suffering, and that he could find peace at christmas time knowing this. we are therefore dismayed to learn that this decision may be appealed. we feel overwhelming despair and sorrow, but we know that

we have to try to somehow cope and to continue for paul. given this continued uncertainty, christmas will now not be a peaceful occasion for us. just to explain that potential appeal, thejudge just to explain that potential appeal, the judge in just to explain that potential appeal, thejudge in the court just to explain that potential appeal, the judge in the court today rejected an application for an appeal, but it can be taken to a higher court. that application would be made by lawyers acting for the office of the official solicitor, who represents people in litigation who represents people in litigation who are vulnerable and so are not able to represent themselves. in this case, representing paul briggs. russia says the evacuation of civilians and rebels from east aleppo should be completed within

two days. tonight, the us state department said america had done all it could to help end the fighting. i think it is pretty obvious to see, time and time, and time again, russia did not meet their commitments with respect to using their influence, their considerable influence, to stop the bombing and gassing, allowing aid to get in and help us create the conditions for political talks. now, if you read thejoint political talks. now, if you read the joint statement today, and if they are able to meet everything they say that they will do, then so much better. maybe we can see results. but we seen in the past when they have not met their own commitments, so i do not think that now is the time, while people are dying in aleppo and were starving to death and still being bombed, i don't think now is the time to point fingers back and forth across the diplomatic table about who did or didn't meet every one of their commitments. now is the time

to try to put what they said they would promise to do into action, and see if we can stop the bloodshed. that's what everybody needs to focus on now. john kirby from the us state department there. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has unveiled proposals for scotland's future relations with europe after brexit. she believes it would be possible for scotland to remain in the european single market even if the rest of the uk left. theresa may says a special deal for scotland is unrealistic. here's our scotland editor sarah smith. nicola sturgeon has a plan, she's as it is the only serious plan for brexit any government has yet come up with. she argues just because the uk's the eu, it does not have to leave leave the single market. i accept there is a mandate in england and wales to take the uk out of the eu however i do not accept that there is a mandate to take any part of the uk out of the single market. scotland could stay in the sigel market even if the rest of the uk chooses to leave.

today's proposals are nothing like the red white and blue brexit theresa may speaks about, they're more of a bespoke scottish tartan version. for scotland to be able to stay in the single market substantial new powers would need to be devolved. control over immigration, business regulation and employment law would all need to be transferred north of the border. like this tartan mill in the scottish borders export into the eu. they claim firms like this could employ eu nationals who would not have the right to work elsewhere in the uk but it won't be easy. it would be legally and politically and technically extremely difficult for scotland to stay in the single market if the uk is leaving the eu because they would be one set of business regulations applying to scotland and another applying

to england which would only be possible if there was a complete devolution of all powers on business regulation. if nicola sturgeon can get a totally different tartan brexit deal for scotland that would be a major political victory. if the prime minister ignores her demands, that is not necessarily total defeat. sturgeon can use that to strengthen her arguments for a second referendum on scottish independence. the prime minister today dismissed the idea that separate scottish deal and warned against a rushed independence. if scotland were to become independent, and not only would no longer be a member of the eu, it would no longer be a member of the single market of the eu and it would no longer be a member of the single market of the uk. and as a market of the uk is worth four times as much to scotland as the sigel market of the european union. trying to weave together the different demands for brexit could yet strain the bonds that hold the uk together.

the queen is stepping down as patron of 25 national organisations. buckingham palace said the announcement marked the beginning of a process that would see patronages pass to other members of the royal family. those affected include the nspcc, barnardos and wimbledon. overall, the queen is patron of more than 600 organisations. time for the weather now, thomas schaff the details. we already have rain sweeping north—western parts, and the run—up to christmas will turn stormy. the winds are already strong across north—western areas and the breeze will pick up further south, too, rain crossing the country through the early hours of wednesday morning. behind the cold front, colder air is tucking in. it means that wednesday will feel colder across many parts of the country,

say two thirds. sunshine, too. a different story in the far south of the country. milder air trying to push in from the south, soggy weather, too, which will last until the evening hours. skipping to friday, and amber warning because storm barbara will arrive. the winds will be severe with this, particularly in the north. hello, this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines at 8.30pm: a suspect detained after last night's lorry attack in berlin when 12 people died has been released for lack of evidence. so—called islamic state have now claimed responsibility. chancellor angela merkel has lead the tributes to the dead, during a special church service near the scene of the tragedy. the body of the russian ambassador to turkey — assassinated in ankara yesterday —

has arrived home in moscow. and nicola sturgeon has set out plans to keep scotland in the european single market if the rest of the uk leaves after brexit. now on bbc news... it's been a fantastic year for gb's olympians and paralympians —